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This comes after the US Army released in 2017 the guidelines that clarified the terms for requesting religious accommodations for servicemen.

Speaking to the newspaper Air Force Times last week, Airman 1st Class Gurchetan Singh stressed that he is grateful “to hear of this policy change, because it codifies in writing what I already know: The U.S. Air Force values the service and contribution of religious minorities like me”.

“Accommodations, after all, aren't about special treatment — they are about ensuring that religiously observant Sikhs and others don't have to choose between staying true to our faith and serving our country”, Singh added.

In recent years, the Air Force granted religious exemptions on a case-by-case basis, allowing several airmen permission to wear beards, turbans and the hijab for religious reasons.

In 2018, Staff Sergeant Abdul Rahman Gaitan in 2018 became the first Muslim airman to receive a beard waiver, while Captain Ouza was the first Air Force Judge Advocate General Corps officer to wear the hijab.

In June 2019, Airman 1st Class Harpreetinder Singh Bajwa was mentioned as the first active-duty Sikh airman who was allowed to wear a turban, beard and long hair.

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